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Fletcher as an educator was intense but ultimately an abuser.
He might had wanted something other than a good job but the way he went about it he was not fit to be a teacher.
Fletcher as an educator was intense but ultimately an abuser.
He might had wanted something other than a good job but the way he went about it he was not fit to be a teacher.
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Reply by luthien
on February 26, 2017 at 12:34 AM
The dude was intense. He slapped his student around trying to make a point about the tempo. I wouldn't want him as a teacher.
Reply by tmdb53400018
on February 26, 2017 at 12:55 AM
He obviously had talent as a musician. But he slapped Miles Teller's character repeatedly and threw something (I think it was a chair?) at him too.
Reply by luthien
on February 26, 2017 at 1:10 AM
Oh yeah, that's right. Good thing Andrew had quick reflexes. Imagine if he threw a chair to a student who wasn't able to duck in time.
Reply by chasman99
on March 10, 2017 at 6:43 PM
He was absolutely abusive, and that wouldn't be allowed at a professional institution. But it makes for an interesting debate, because it was that intense mistreatment that ultimately transformed Teller
Reply by Renovatio
on March 26, 2017 at 10:29 AM
this is interesting... Teller's character seemed pretty driven from the beginning, even to the extent of slightly alienating the pretty girl he was interested in...
I wonder how much internal vs. external intensity matters more in these situations...
Reply by lmao7
on March 27, 2017 at 5:45 AM
Even after being abused by Fletcher, it was like Neimann still wanted approval from him.
Reply by cpheonix
on June 27, 2017 at 10:32 AM
This was kind of one of reasons why I didn't enjoy the movie as much as I wanted to. It was borderline fantasy in how a teacher could get away with such abuse, both physically and verbally. If it was set maybe 20-30 years ago it could be believable, but in this day and age he would no way be able to get away with the stuff he did.
I really don't believe such high intense pressure (as shown in the film) could transform anyone except put them off altogether or drive them to suicide (as it did with one student)
Reply by Renovatio
on June 27, 2017 at 5:07 PM
Stockholm syndrome?
Reply by tmdb72563708
on July 22, 2017 at 2:37 PM
I'm so glad this wasn't a true story for so many reasons. I would have given up drums very quickly if I had experienced the likes of Fletcher.
Reply by intothenightalone
on August 31, 2017 at 6:28 AM
It was a little too intense, especially things like him bleeding all over the kit
Reply by Fergoose
on November 29, 2021 at 2:47 PM
Yes, it was over the top given the setting and the time, but thought provoking nonetheless. I think a small fraction of people do need a Fletcher type to get the best out of them. A fear of humiliation combined with "I'll prove him wrong" mindset amongst the students.
Ultimately, the Fletchers of this world will end up alienating and chasing away more talent than he would develop. I doubt any of the greatest minds in human history pushed the boundaries of human knowledge by being bullied into it. They just had an inner drive (and a whole lot of natural ability of course).
Plus, as the film depicts, bullies like Fletcher may contribute to mental health issues. Looking back I actually thought he was emotional on hearing about the suicide because his greatest protege had died before attaining fame (rather than any concern for the kid). That simply added to the complexity of the character as somewhere between a well meaning bully, or an undiluted scumbag.
I haven't seen Simmons in any films prior to this, but used to watch him in Oz, which in some ways took away from his performance for me. I think intimidating malevolence is his comfort zone. :p